Returns and Accounts

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 34, Issue 8, 1 October 1943, Page 6

Returns and Accounts

The Sessional Committee on returns and accounts reported to Synod as follows:— - Sunday Schools. — There are 76 Sunday Schools, which is a decrease of 3. The total number scholars has, however, increased from 3390 to 3517. This is an increase of 300 over the two last years. To this total the number of 370 mailbag scholars should be added. 'Bible Classes.— There are now 48 Bible classes m the Diocese, a decrease of 13. — probably, due to war conditions. The number of members are 282 males and 450 females, making a smaller total, of, 732. v Sacramental. — Baptisms, 997; a decrease of 160; .Confirmations, 230 males and 374 females, total 6Q4— a decrease of 30. Marriages: 256, of which 167 are by banns, 89 by licence. Last year's total was 282. Communicants: Easter Day total was 5237, a decrease of 142. The total communions registered m the Diocese, 78,504, is an increase of about 2000. \ Mothers' Union. — There are 27 branches . with a membership of 1038, which shows no variation. Finance.-— The returns disclose that most parishes show a credit bank balance, three only having an overdraft. The aggregate credits amount to £2062 and £69 of debts.. This shows a substantial improvement on previous years. Most of the Parishes have complied with the recommendation of Standing Committee to make an increase m the stipends of Clergy. In the case of those parishes which have not done so there are some which are affected by war conditions, which explain the position. There has been a marked improvement m the compilation of Cash Statements and Balance Sheets. Maori Pastorate Returns. We welcome the information given m the Maori returns. The more accin> ately they are compiled the greater the value for purposes or comparison. ■ The number of communions m some parishes is. most encouraging. We are pleased to note that an increasing number of Maori Clergy are entering Native Schools and hope full advantage will be taken of all opportunities. ' What can be" achieved among the Maori Youth, is illustrated by a roll of 200 Bible Class members, comprising 7 classes m the Waipatu-Moteo Parish. The financial returns show very little variation, but there appears to have been a great development m the direction of self-support.